Reassessment of Porosimetry Determinations Using Water Vapor Sorption Measurements for Pastes and Concretes Containing Basaltic Aggregates Compared to the Mercury Intrusion Method

Abstract

Concrete porosity is one of the fundamental properties for the structural characterization of cementitious materials. This study compares porosity data obtained with dynamic water vapor sorption (DWVS) with the more commonly used mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) method for a wide range of concrete samples made with basaltic aggregates, typical of the Canary Islands, which are porous. The objective was to propose an alternative method for routine concrete monitoring that avoids the use of a hazardous substance such as mercury. The results reveal fundamental differences between the MIP and water-accessible porosimetry (WAP) data, although a correlation between the methods was revealed where MIP = 1.18 x WAP. The study was completed by an analysis of the relationships between the porosity and the characteristics and properties of concrete (water/cement ratio and strength), as well as the calculation of the tortuosity factor and a frost durability factor.